Jason Bohn has 3-stroke lead in suspended third round of Zurich Classic

Bohn leads weather-plagued Zurich Classic

AVONDALE, La. — Jason Bohn had a three-stroke lead Saturday when third-round play in the weather-plagued Zurich Classic was suspended because of darkness.

Bohn, celebrating his 37th birthday, shot a 5-under 67 in the completion of the second round and was even par through six holes in the third.

“What I’m most excited about how I’m just really focused and I’m very patient at what I’m trying to do,” Bohn said after completing the second round.

Greg Chalmers and Alex Cejka were tied for second at 9 under. Chalmers played seven holes in the third round, and Cejka completed six.

“I’m a little bit tired today,” Cejka said. “But I’m glad I got seven holes in or 6½ and I’m 2-under par today.”

Chalmers was one of the few well-rested players Saturday after completing his second round Friday.

“I had a pretty relaxing day, really,” the Australian said. “Sitting around watching TV, bored out of my mind for about eight hours. Then I came out and played seven holes, six holes really well, and one hole just average.”

Kevin Sutherland, Greg Owen, John Senden, Jeff Overton and Shaun Micheel were 8 under. Sutherland finished 11 holes, while the others were still on the front nine.

The rain and lightning that stopped play Friday and delayed it Saturday morning gave way to strong wind that gusted to more than 40 mph by the afternoon.

“I’m going to say that the rain is what helped the golf course,” Bohn said. “It’s allowed us to play it with this wind and it’s still accessible. Without the rain, if you were to have this kind of wind with it as dry as it was on Thursday, it could be treacherous.”

Third-round play was set to resume at 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Bohn, the 2005 B.C. Open winner, will opened with a 17-foot birdie putt on the par-5 seventh.

“Another long day, yeah,” Bohn said as he left the course Saturday night after playing 24 holes. “I have 30 holes to play or something tomorrow.”

The first tee time for the fourth round of the $6.4 million tournament is scheduled at 9:45 a.m., with the last group going off at 11:45 a.m. The players will not be repaired for the final round.

“Hopefully we’ll have good weather and we can finish in time,” Cejka said.